The Personal, Political Art of Board-Game Design

a lot more complexity and nuance exist as levers for board game designers to tell stories and explore social and political issues.

with that said, i do find board games to sometimes feel inaccessible due to price, time to learn and the need for a number of players all simultaneously.

these are important ingredients if game designers have goals beyond delivering entertainment. similarly, we see these same challenges in video games that tackle educational challenges.

i do think success is achievable (in both cases) and it is exciting to see games of all kinds attempt to bring fun to serious topics.

Amabel Holland is a board game designer who creates games that are both complex and engaging, often tackling difficult social and political issues. Her games are known for their innovative mechanics and their ability to immerse players in an experience. This article explores Holland’s life and work, and how she uses game design to express her personal and political views.